Assessment of Environmental Awareness and Behavior and Their Relationship with Economic, Social, and Institutional Factors among University Students

Abstract

This study aims to measure environmental awareness and behavior among students of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at Omar Al-Mukhtar University, focusing on economic, social, cultural, and institutional factors. The results showed a moderate positive correlation between environmental awareness and behavior (r = 0.421), confirming the importance of enhancing awareness as a means to improve environmental practices. It was also found that social and cultural factors have a greater impact on environmental behavior compared to economic factors. The results did not show statistically significant differences between genders or age groups, while differences in environmental behavior were found favoring first-year students. The study highlighted a gap between theoretical awareness and practical behavior, with "lack of sufficient bins" being the main barrier to proper waste disposal. Students suggested solutions such as providing designated sorting bins and organizing periodic awareness campaigns. The study recommends increasing the number of bins, implementing awareness programs, integrating sustainability concepts into curricula, and encouraging student participation in environmental initiatives.